Tuning-slide-actuating mechanism



May 20, 19730- E. J. GULlcK 1,759,824

TUNING SLIDE ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed July 19, 1928 .VMT y @5% el No: 1w L',

Patented May 20, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD J. GULICK, OF ELKHART, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO C. G. CONN, LTD., OF ELKHART, INDIANA, A CORPORATION CF INDIANA TUNING-SLIDE-ACTUATING MECHANISM Application led July 19,

This invention relates to wind musical instruments and particularly tuning slide mechanism for horns.

The principal object of my invention is to 5 provide a tuning slide for horns, and the like, which is readily actuated by one linger of the players hand which supports the instrument.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring retracted tuning slide for horns, and the likea which is readily actuated by the playerl to lower or modify the tone of the instrument.

Other objects of the invention are menj,5 tioned and described herein.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l illustrates a side view of a cornet 2e to which my invention is applied;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 22 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged fragment of the instrument in which my invention is incorporated, the view being taken from the side opposite to that shown in Fig. l;

Fig. l is a section taken on line 4-4 of l; and

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of r1 Fig. 1.

Similar numerals of reference indicate lile parts throughout the several views on the dra inO's.

c wing tite al l represents a common type of cornet which is provided with the stationary parallel tubes 2 and 3 which are open at their outer ends to telescopically receive the tubes 5 and 6 of the U shaped tuning slide Ll. Normally the slide l is held retracted by a coil spring 19 to cause the shoulders and 55E of wf. "le el and tube f5, respectively, to engage. To

be somewhat supported by a block l2 rigid 1928. Serial No. 293,896.

' h .the under surface of a tube l?) positioned cent the tubes 2 and 3.

The lower end of the l ver 9 is provided with a ring-like handle i-; adapted to be engaged by a of one hand of the player, and the iri .er or opposite end of said lever is connected with a linl-'z l5 which extends foiwvardly to the screw l@ threaded into 1est il" whic i 'dly mounted between the tubes 5 id G o1; the slice A pivot screw 18 wl n threaded into the opposite end of the nul; l5- operatively connects said link with the upper end of the lever 9.

rEhe coil tension spring lt) encompasses a portion of the rod 2O which has its outer end rigidly connected with the extension 2l of the post 1.7, said being slidably mounted in an aperture formed in a post 23 which is l dly mounted between the tubes and 3. ri'he coil curing 19 ias end hooks and 25, respectively, connected with the posts 23 and 21, res pectively, for anchorage purposes. A pair of nuts and 27 are threaded upon the threads E28 formed adjacent one extremity of the rod 20, nut 26 normally bearing against the post to limit the outward movement of the slide 4t.

T he nut may function as a lock nut for the stop nut 26, to preserve the adjustment of the latter, and the latter may be adjusted back and forth on the rod to regulate the ei'tent of outward movement of the slide 4, and thereby the tension of spring 19. Pref erably the lever is so placed in relation to the valve easings A., B, and C of the instrument that it is readily accessible to the players hand, or ene of the fineers thereof, which is grasping said valve easings, and to operate O I i i his grasp en the instrument with the remainii lagers and thumb of the same hand.

i he post Q23 may be similar in construction to the post extension 2l to enable the ready connection of the spring hook 24 therewith.

Obviously, oscillation of the lever 9 will actuate the slide 4f outwardly until the stop nut 26 engages the post whereby the instrument tone is modified or lowered. Upon release of the handle 14 the slide 4 is instantly retracted by the sepring 19 to its former and normal position.

I claim l. In a wind musical instrument ol the character described,y the combination oi' a movable tuning slide, of a rod rigidly connected with the slide and slidably connected with the body of the instrument, a tension spring for retracting the slide, an adjustable stop element on said rod for limiting the movement of the slide, and lever and link mechanism for actuating said slide against said spring.

2. In a wind musical instrument of the character described the combination with a U shaped tuning slide and the stationary tubes with which the slide telescopes, oli means for manually outwardly actuating the tuning slide, spring n sans for retracting the slide, andadjustable stop means for limiting the outwarc movement ot said slide, said means including a rod rigidly connected with the tuning slide between the tubes thereof and disposed substantially parallel therewith, an apertured anchorage post rigidly mounted between said instrument stationary tubes, the aperture whereof is slidably traversed by said rod, and a stop nut screw threaded upon said rod and adapted to engage said anchorage post upon outward movement ot the tuning slide.

3. In a wind musical instrument of the character described the combination with a J shaped tuning slide and the stationary tubes with which the slide telescopes, of means tor manually outwardly actuating the tuning slide, said means including an anchorage element mounted between the slide tubes,

spring means connected with said anchorage element for reti-acting the tuning slide, and adjustable stop means for limiting the outward movement of said slide, said means Y including a rod rigidly connected with said slide anchorage element and arranged substantially parallel with the slide tubes, an apertured anchorage post rigidly mounted between said instrument stationary tubes, the aperture whereof is slidably traversed by said rod, said retracting spring being anchored to said anchorage post, and a stop nut screw threaded to said rod and adapted to engage said anchorage post upon outward movement of said slide.

4. In a wind musical instrument of the character described, the combination oi' a movable tuning slide, lever and linkage means for outwardly actuating the slide, a spring for retracting the slide, and screw means tor adjusting the tension of said spring.

5. In a wind musical instrument ot the character described, the combination of a U shaped tuning slide, the stationary instrument tubes with Which the tuning slide 

